The King of Comedy is a 1982 American satirical black comedy drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard.
Plot[]
Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) is a failure in life but a celebrity in his own mind, hosting an imaginary talk show in his mother's basement. When he meets actual talk show host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis), he's convinced it will provide his big break, but Langford isn't interested in the would-be comedian. Undaunted, Pupkin effectively stalks Langford and when that doesn't work, he kidnaps him, offering his release in exchange for a guest spot on Langford's show.
Cast[]
- Robert De Niro as Rupert Pupkin
- Jerry Lewis as Jerry Langford
- Sandra Bernhard as Masha
- Diahnne Abbott as Rita Keene
- Shelley Hack as Cathy Long
- Margo Winkler as a receptionist of Langford's production company
- Kim Chan as Jonno
- Frederick De Cordova as Bert Thomas
- Edgar Scherick as Wilson Crockett
- Senator Bobby as Clarence McCabe
- Ed Herlihy as himself
- Tony Randall as himself
- Victor Borge as himself
- Joyce Brothers as herself
- Catherine Scorsese as Rupert's mother (voice only)
- Cathy Scorsese as Dolores, a fan of Pupkin in one of his daydreams.
- Martin Scorsese as TV director
- Charles Scorsese as first Man at Bar